TWO deserving projects in Birmingham are vying for a slice of Lottery cash after reaching the semi-finals of a televised competition.

The National Lottery Awards 2008 involves a number of lottery-funded projects from across the UK battling it out for the chance to win £2,000 towards their good cause.

The Birmingham projects are Envision – a Lottery-funded charity working in 100 schools throughout the UK – and the Nechells Regeneration Project, which aims to restore Nechells Baths.

Now entering their fifth year, the awards recognise the difference that Lottery-funded projects make to local communities, as well as celebrate the achievements of the people behind them.

Public voting for the semi-finals began this week and ends at midday on Friday, July 4.

The three projects in each category with the highest number of votes will go through to the finals of the awards and appear on a special BBC1 Saturday night television show later in the year.

TV and radio presenter Gethin Jones, who is supporting the Lottery awards, said: “Each week, Lottery players raise a staggering £25 million for good causes and this money helps projects like Envision and the Nechells Regeneration Project transform the lives of people and places across the UK.

“The National Lottery Awards recognise the talent and hard work of the people involved in running Lottery-funded projects just like these. We want to thank these everyday heroes by highlighting their fantastic work, so please get behind them.”